2019 Pittsburgh Steelers Thread

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CPiSS (Chargers Post Season Syndrome)

Steelers wide receivers coach Darryl Drake died suddenly on Sunday at the age of 62.

www.espn.com

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receivers coach Darryl Drake died suddenly at age 62 on Sunday, the team announced.

The team did not disclose a cause of death. The Steelers canceled their training camp practice on Sunday.

"We are at a loss for words following Darryl Drake's passing this morning. Darryl had such an impact on the players he coached and everyone he worked with throughout his entire career. He was a passionate coach and had a tremendous spirit toward life, his family, his faith and the game of football," Steelers president Art Rooney II said in a statement.

"Our prayers and thoughts are with his wife, Sheila, his three daughters, his grandchildren and entire family during this difficult time."

Darryl Drake was entering his second season as the wide receivers coach for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Photo by Shelley Lipton/Icon Sportswire
Drake was entering his second season as the Steelers' wide receivers coach after being hired by the Steelers in January 2018. He was an assistant coach for 16 years in the NFL, also serving as wide receivers coach for the Chicago Bears and Arizona Cardinals.

"Darryl was a close friend and had a tremendous impact on my coaching career," Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said in a statement. "He was an amazing husband, father and grandfather, and it is difficult to put into words the grief our entire team is going through right now.

"Darryl loved the game of football and every player he ever coached. We will use our faith to guide us and help his family throughout the difficult time."

The former first-round pick, demoted in 2018, has played well in camp while shepherding his brothers through life with their father in prison.

www.espn.com

LATROBE, Pa. -- Artie Burns is well aware of the challenge in front of him -- on the field.

A first-round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2016, the cornerback lost his starting job in Week 3 last season. Now in the final year of his rookie deal, Artie is fighting for his professional life. The team paid him an $800,000 roster bonus on July 28, which doesn't guarantee him a roster spot but is a good sign.

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said in June that Artie understands the "urgency of his circumstance" and is acting appropriately.

If his maturation off the field is any indication, he'll answer that challenge.

Artie's story is well-documented. He has been helping raise his two teenage brothers, Thomas and Jordan, since his mother, Dana Smith, died of a heart attack in 2015. Their father, Artie Tyrone Burns Sr., has been gone since 2006, serving a 25-year sentence in South Carolina for trafficking cocaine.

Their parents' absence has forced the brothers to rely on each other. And the situation also presents challenges.

"This is a [24-year-old] guy who's parenting teenagers," said Tomlin at a luncheon that honored Artie as the team's Ed Block Courage Award winner two years ago. "I have teenagers. I'm (47). We share conversation about the parenting of these teenagers. This is a guy who embraces this responsibility."

And, in doing so, Artie is prepared for anything, yet uneasy because of this reality: He feels the burden of life without Dad, and there's not much he can do about it.

"I've kind of had to figure out some things for myself," Artie said. "It's been a process. We make it work."

Common goal
Artie and his brothers have bonded, in part, because of their dad's case. Artie estimates he's spent about $35,000 on two lawyers to spark a retrial, without success.

Expediting his dad's release will be difficult.

Burns Sr. was traveling on Interstate 95 in South Carolina in a blue Dodge Charger in 2006 when an officer pulled him over for moving back and forth in a driving lane, according to the Dillon County Sheriff's Office incident report. Burns and the passenger, Johnny Jones, who's also serving a 25-year sentence, said they didn't know each other's last names and told the officer different stories about their trip, according to the report. Burns Sr. said they were traveling to the University of Virginia to visit a relative who played football there. Jones said they were visiting girls. The officer searched the car and found no luggage but two plastic bags containing a white powder substance in the spare tire compartment of the trunk, according to the report.

Burns Sr. has been in Lee Correctional Institution in Bishopville, South Carolina, for 13 years.

Artie Burns, flanked by his younger brothers, has held down his family in the absence of their father while trying to hold onto his job as a cornerback with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Courtesy of Burns family
The case has gone through the appeals process and two attempts at post-conviction release under the submission of new evidence, according to Dillon County Solicitor's Office prosecutor Kernard Redmond, who prosecuted Burns' case in 2006. Both attempts were dismissed -- in 2010 and 2017. On July 3, 2018, Burns Sr. filed a motion for a new trial "based on after-discovery evidence, false testimony and prosecutorial misconduct."

What still bothers Artie is the police report, which lists 0.010 grams of cocaine found upon search. The charge is for 100 to 200 grams, which elevates a mandatory sentence to 25 years.

"How do you go from a five-year sentence to a bigger amount [of cocaine]?" Artie asked. "If anything, the sentence should have been reduced."

When the drugs got back to state enforcement labs, officials analyzed three bags totaling 138 grams of cocaine, said Redmond, who classified the listing of 0.010 grams as a "writing error" because drugs aren't weighed on the scene, but through a chain of custody.

But Burns Sr. maintains there were no drugs in the car or displayed as evidence during his trial, and that the officer on the scene actually found bleach crystals for cleaning the car.

Burns Sr. is hopeful the clerk of the court will sign his retrial motion, which cites inconsistencies in the weight amounts.

"My kids have always motivated me to [keep pushing the case]," Burns Sr. told ESPN in a phone interview set up by family consultant Michelle Murray. "I will look at my family photo album in front of me and just think of them. I'll never stop. I'll never stop."

Redmond said Burns Sr. went to trial after rejecting a plea offer of 7-8 years on a lesser charge of possession with intent to distribute. Burns Sr. rejected the plea because that would have been an admission of guilt.

"I was not seeking to give him 25 years," Redmond said.

Good behavior credits can reduce a drug sentence to 85% in the state, Redmond said. And though Burns Sr. has multiple inmate offenses at Lee Correctional for possession of contraband, use of narcotics and intent to possess a cell phone, he believes he will get the reduction because he's successfully held down jobs inside the prison for years.

Artie acknowledges his father has made mistakes. He isn't naïve. He doesn't know if his dad was dealing drugs, and he's never asked him. But Artie doesn't believe the punishment fits the crime, potentially keeping a father away from his sons for nearly three decades.

"I just want to help him. If he was out here, he'd be helping me," Artie said. "Since he can't do anything, I want to help the family. He provided for us and cared for us. I had a good dad. I had a good childhood."

Commitment to family
Instead of feeling anger or bitterness toward his dad, Artie has committed himself to taking care of his family. In addition to caring for his two brothers, Artie has a family of his own with two sons -- A.J., 4, and Saint, 2 -- and fiancée Ella.

Thomas, 19, is the middle brother. After his mother's death, he moved in with his grandparents before moving to Pittsburgh for his senior season at Pine-Richland High. After high school, he was off to Miami for track, and he has since transferred to Texas A&M, where he is also on an athletic scholarship.

Thomas said he had typical brotherly "ups and downs" with Artie but the two were older and talked through things. He understands why Artie rides him about grades and gives advice on his collegiate track career.

Artie shares a different relationship with Jordan, who is 16 and a running back and safety at Pine-Richland. Jordan calls Artie "like a brother -- and a father, sometimes," but the oldest and youngest Burns brothers have their moments.

"If he tries to play a father figure, my little brother won't necessarily shut him off but he might say, 'But you're not my dad,' and then they'll get in an argument," Thomas said. "They leave it alone, let it steam, and then they are good. I don't know how to explain it, really. You could say it's a little bit harder (for him). He had to adjust to life."

Added Artie: "If (Jordan) is going through phases, I can be a big brother, but I can't be his father. It jeopardizes my relationship with him."

Jordan is grateful for Artie's guidance, reminding him to be diligent in school and stressing the importance of hard work and being on time. Artie also helped Jordan compile his football highlight tape for college recruiters, encouraging him to lead it with splashy plays. Artie's brothers consider Ella to be like a sister figure, filling in gaps and helping to keep the family going.

Jordan knows Artie is doing his best, but when asked about the idea of his father being a part of his teenage years, Jordan said, "I just need him." Burns Sr. has asked Jordan and Thomas to let Artie guide them, but phone calls only do so much.

"He'll help me out with school, football, going on college visits," Jordan said of his dad. "I know he'll be here soon."

'The glue to our family'
On a Steelers off day earlier this summer, Artie sat in front of a sizzling plate of steak and chicken fajitas, waving his hand through the steam and expressing excitement for a planned trip to visit Dad sometime in July.

He hasn't seen him since he went to Lee Correctional Institution 13 years ago.

"It's going to be emotional," Artie said from Patron's Mexican Grill in North Pittsburgh, noting he planned to get adidas shoes for Dad and inmates to make the trip "special."

But the trip never happened.

Life always seems to get in the way. The three brothers wanted to make the nine-hour drive together, and between Jordan's summer football schedule and Thomas' track and field transfer, a plan never came together. Because his brothers had commitments and Artie was in Pittsburgh with his two kids, Artie decided going at a later date was probably best.

Artie Burns with his father, Artie Burns Sr., who is serving 25 years in a South Carolina prison. Courtesy of Burns family
Artie promised Dad he would reschedule. Lack of finances used to keep them away, and when Thomas and Jordan visited about five years ago, Artie missed the trip because of a football commitment at Miami.

Thomas cried when he hugged his father goodbye that day, and he knows Artie needs to experience that eventually.

"We are always busy," Thomas said. "Something always comes up. And there's a lot on his plate to the point where he has to say, 'I'm really going to go out of the way to make the trip.'"

Artie stresses there's no resentment for the man who coached him in youth football and took him for pizza most weekends. He considered his dad "the glue to our family." The happy memories are vivid, and that's enough right now. The boys talk on the phone with Dad multiple times a week.

Burns Sr. understands Artie's absence.

"It might be something that's hard for him seeing me in prison like this," said Burns Sr. "I don't think he's ready yet. When he was young, he was always with me. I used to pick him up from school, take him to practice. I understand. I'll wait on you. I'll be patient."

These days, Artie shares Bible verses with his dad over the phone and updates him on his grandchildren. Artie also spoils his own children out of sheer love, Thomas said.

"He's matured big time -- big time," Jordan said. "Him having kids, it's like his maturity stepped up. His responsibility is looking after all of us."

Artie doesn't talk much about football with Dad, though he knows that bond will never leave them. Burns Sr. used to coach his young son to tackle like his favorite player, Junior Seau: with force and good technique.

Broaching the football subject over lunch elicits a simple answer from Artie: "I'm going to have a good season." He repeated the same phrase minutes later mid-conversation.

Artie Burns, right, has played well in camp, but he's hardly guaranteed a roster spot. Keith Srakocic/Associated Press
Validating those words, Artie has had positive moments on the practice field. He had multiple pass breakups in the spring and in training camp, and defensive backs coach Tom Bradley said Artie has spent extra time with coaches to refine his place in the system.

Burns Sr. wishes he could be there to lessen that burden -- on and off the field.

He's always ready to talk technique or fundamentals like it was 2006 again. Lee Correctional has a handful of Steelers fans, Burns Sr. said, and he tries to watch every game.

That's far less rewarding than how he used to draw up plays for his son for youth football games, or how he used to find his son's crayons inside his notebooks.

"I'd rather be there to help him," Burns Sr. said.

Artie has always believed in his dad, which is why he wants to cap 2019 the right way -- by winning big with the Steelers, then visiting Dad after the season.

But Artie's learned too much the past few years not to enjoy today.

"What I lost from him is time," said Artie of his dad. "But I know he wants me to give my family all the tools they need."

CPiSS (Chargers Post Season Syndrome)

The Steelers' decision is looking even better in wake of Antonio Brown's new helmet saga and his offseason in OaklandPittsburgh's ability to locate wide receiver talent in all rounds of the NFL draft will ease the loss of Brown right away

Pittsburgh's ability to locate wide receiver talent in all rounds of the NFL draft will ease the loss of Brown right away

www.cbssports.com

Antonio Brown was traded for third and fifth-round draft picks back in March. At that time, the Pittsburgh Steelers, the team that traded Brown to the Oakland Raiders, took considerable heat for trading Brown to Oakland without getting a first or second-round pick in return.

Less than a half a year later, you wonder what the Steelers would get if the trade to trade Brown now, in wake of Brown's recent saga that has seen him threaten to retireover whether or not he will be allowed to wear his old helmet in 2019. It's safe to say that they wouldn't get close to what the Raiders gave them in March for the rights to Brown, who continues to be at the center of drama and controversy despite getting a fresh start in Oakland and again becoming the NFL's highest-paid receiver.

Lost in Michael Silver's revealing report of Brown's current helmet dispute with the NFL are the new details about Brown's current standing in Oakland. Based on Silver's report, it appears that Brown is exuding the same actions in Oakland that the Steelers reluctantly tolerated in Pittsburgh. In the past, he earned a reputation as one of the NFL's hardest workers (when he practices), but now Brown is again reportedly showing up late to meetings and other team functions. He is also reportedly not entirely focused on the task at hand when he does attend meetings.

"Brown, according to witnesses, typically glances at the screens of several tablets and his smartphone during meetings," Silver wrote, "distracting himself by engaging in activities which include perusing his bank accounts and 'liking' photos on Instagram..."

The Steelers, meanwhile, have been enjoying life without the franchise's No. 2 all-time receiver in career catches, yards, and touchdowns. Pittsburgh's receiving corps, a group that underwent a needed makeover following the trade of Brown, continues to show signs of its potential. James Washington, who is battling to replace Brown on the depth chart, caught four passes for 84 yards and a score that included a nifty 48-yard grab in Pittsburgh's win over Tampa Bay in their preseason opener. Zach Gentry, a rookie tight end out of Michigan who was selected using the fifth-round pick the Steelers acquired for Brown, caught his first NFL touchdown pass Friday night.

Pittsburgh received stellar play at the receiver position Friday night from unheralded players that included Johnny Holton and Tevin Jones, two young wideouts who are battling for a place on Pittsburgh's 53-man roster. While Jones caught a touchdown pass late in Pittsburgh's 30-28 victory, Holton's 59-yard catch and run through Tampa Bay's secondary proved to be one of the night's main highlights while strengthening his cause to make the 53.

While JuJu Smith-Schuster has continued his evolution as one of the NFL's premier receivers, the Steelers may have another rookie sensation on the horizon in Diontae Johnson. While Johnson has been slowed by an injury in recent weeks, the 66th overall pick in this year's draft (the third-round pick the Steelers received in the trade for Brown), was off to a strong start in camp prior after vastly improving his conditioning following Pittsburgh's rookie minicamp. The Steelers' receiving room has also been buoyed by the addition of veteran wideout Donte Moncrief, who has quickly made a positive impact on the team both on and off the field.

Pittsburgh's recent history of finding success in the draft at the wide receiver position is arguably unmatched by any other NFL franchise. This likely played a big role in their decision to trade Brown and it will certainly ease the weight of his loss.

Mike Tomlin, Brown's coach for each of his nine seasons in Pittsburgh, recently talked to CBS Sports HQ to talk about Pittsburgh's ability to replace elite wideouts in recent seasons.

Yes, this past weekend is a small sample size of the Steelers' new life without Brown, and of Brown's new life in Oakland. The Steelers will still go through some growing pains without Brown, who will likely not make good on his threat to retire even if forced to wear a league-approved helmet this season.

But, one thing this weekend did show was that the Steelers absolutely did the right thing by granting Brown his trade request. It wasn't the easy thing to do, but it will ultimately prove to have been the right thing to do.

Terry Bradshaw’s career ended the same way. He threw something like four TD passes against the Jets, but the last throw something popped in his elbow and that was it. I remember he was saying that the arm has so many throws in it and then once you hit that limit it’s over.

I still like Philip Rivers as a person and player. Hopefully he quits before he's forced to. This Big Ben situation is exactly why I think he should of held out/demanded an extension for millions more dollars. If he gets hurt this year, boom, the money is gone,the Deano won't give up a dime, You could have lost or won the Division, Philip, and made the money you deserve.

Inaugural SAN DIEGO Charger Fan Since 1962 FUDEAN

I still like Philip Rivers as a person and player. Hopefully he quits before he's forced to. This Big Ben situation is exactly why I think he should of held out/demanded an extension for millions more dollars. If he gets hurt this year, boom, the money is gone,the Deano won't give up a dime, You could have lost or won the Division, Philip, and made the money you deserve.

agree, he should have leveraged this year and he'd have gotten his extension. I think the bolts are moving on without him if he holds out for much next year. They'll try to draft a top QB, maybe trade picks to move up. All this after they could have had Lamar Jackson for nothing. Stupid planning.

BoltTalker

I still like Philip Rivers as a person and player. Hopefully he quits before he's forced to. This Big Ben situation is exactly why I think he should of held out/demanded an extension for millions more dollars. If he gets hurt this year, boom, the money is gone,the Deano won't give up a dime, You could have lost or won the Division, Philip, and made the money you deserve.

BoltTalker

agree, he should have leveraged this year and he'd have gotten his extension. I think the bolts are moving on without him if he holds out for much next year. They'll try to draft a top QB, maybe trade picks to move up. All this after they could have had Lamar Jackson for nothing. Stupid planning.

Inaugural SAN DIEGO Charger Fan Since 1962 FUDEAN

Back to the Steelers....they are stupid for thinking Ben would last and not having already drafted his replacement. So now they are stuck with Mason Rudolph and Devlin Hedges (make that HODGES) LMAO. Dumbasses. What were they thinking? They should have made a move to get Jackson too. This is stuff that goes back as far as the Chargers not planning to replace Dan Fouts with a franchise QB. How many years did it take for them to finally acquire a top QB? I loved Stan Humphries and all but damn.....what a disaster of a transition. Oh I forgot....they DID make a fantastic attempt....Ryan Leaf

BoltTalker

Back to the Steelers....they are stupid for thinking Ben would last and not having already drafted his replacement. So now they are stuck with Mason Rudolph and Devlin Hedges (make that HODGES) LMAO. Dumbasses. What were they thinking? They should have made a move to get Jackson too. This is stuff that goes back as far as the Chargers not planning to replace Dan Fouts with a franchise QB. How many years did it take for them to finally acquire a top QB? I loved Stan Humphries and all but damn.....what a disaster of a transition. Oh I forgot....they DID make a fantastic attempt....Ryan Leaf

Well-Known Member

Back to the Steelers....they are stupid for thinking Ben would last and not having already drafted his replacement. So now they are stuck with Mason Rudolph and Devlin Hedges (make that HODGES) LMAO. Dumbasses. What were they thinking? They should have made a move to get Jackson too. This is stuff that goes back as far as the Chargers not planning to replace Dan Fouts with a franchise QB. How many years did it take for them to finally acquire a top QB? I loved Stan Humphries and all but damn.....what a disaster of a transition. Oh I forgot....they DID make a fantastic attempt....Ryan Leaf

Inaugural SAN DIEGO Charger Fan Since 1962 FUDEAN

whoa...16 years......that is absolute incompetence.......and to overlook the red flag on Leaf.....remember there was a psychologist report supposedly that ran up the red flag on the guy.....Beathard went from genius in WASH to absolute dunce in SD (although he WAS the only GM to take them to a SB so not as bad as guys like aj smith or steve ortmayer). I still maintain if John Butler hadn't passed the SD chargers would have won a SB and probably would still be in SD with a stadium. He would likely have put spanos in his place. A guy who eats fried bologna sandwiches isn't a guy to be trifled with lolz.

Well-Known Member

The bright side of Pittsburgh.
They did not franchise tag Bell, though they could have. They could have kept Antonio Brown, but they traded him.
With Big Ben's injury, all that would have created both team chaos and cap space hell.

And your steelers acquire Fitzpatrick for a 1st round draft pick. I think your team is making bizarre moves Harry. WTF. Could have traded up to get Lamar Jackson. What are they doing? Maybe they think Big Ben is a bigger version of Tom Brady? LOLOLOLOL.

BoltTalker

whoa...16 years......that is absolute incompetence.......and to overlook the red flag on Leaf.....remember there was a psychologist report supposedly that ran up the red flag on the guy.....Beathard went from genius in WASH to absolute dunce in SD (although he WAS the only GM to take them to a SB so not as bad as guys like aj smith or steve ortmayer). I still maintain if John Butler hadn't passed the SD chargers would have won a SB and probably would still be in SD with a stadium. He would likely have put spanos in his place. A guy who eats fried bologna sandwiches isn't a guy to be trifled with lolz.

Well-Known Member

And your steelers acquire Fitzpatrick for a 1st round draft pick. I think your team is making bizarre moves Harry. WTF. Could have traded up to get Lamar Jackson. What are they doing? Maybe they think Big Ben is a bigger version of Tom Brady? LOLOLOLOL.

Fitzpatrick was the 11th overall pick of the 2018 draft by the Miami Dolphins. In 16 games last season, Fitzpatrick had two interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown. He also added nine passes defensed and 80 tackles. In two games in 2019, Fitzpatrick has 11 tackles with a forced fumble and fumble recovery.

In his three seasons at the University of Alabama, Fitzpatrick had nine interceptions, four of which he returned for touchdowns. He also added two force fumbles, five sacks, and 171 tackles. Fitzpatrick played in the national championship game every year with the Crimson Tide, winning the title in 2015 and 2017.

Deano is so frickin dumb. I could have come up with a better stadium deal in SD (with Gambling support)
than what he has now. Pathetic.
If he had moved to LA with Disney money planning to built its own Stadium, yes that would be a gold mine. But to rent?
In a building created by your superior co-owner? A joke. And then the 'partnership' with Davis....no money between them....thought the. NFL would buy that one (within Kroenke's turf)......mindless. They deserve to be where they are.
Lousy ownership.

Inaugural SAN DIEGO Charger Fan Since 1962 FUDEAN

Fitzpatrick was the 11th overall pick of the 2018 draft by the Miami Dolphins. In 16 games last season, Fitzpatrick had two interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown. He also added nine passes defensed and 80 tackles. In two games in 2019, Fitzpatrick has 11 tackles with a forced fumble and fumble recovery.

In his three seasons at the University of Alabama, Fitzpatrick had nine interceptions, four of which he returned for touchdowns. He also added two force fumbles, five sacks, and 171 tackles. Fitzpatrick played in the national championship game every year with the Crimson Tide, winning the title in 2015 and 2017.

yes he is great. Great for the D. But they need a star QB to replace the rapistberger. QB is the guy that makes more plays happen than anyone else. They are behind the eightball now. I don't see Big Ben beingthe answer next year, if he even makes it back. Bummer he got hurt but the dude is too old. Other guys in those years, orther than Brady, are all headed for pasture or are already there.

Well-Known Member

"You can see that preview in the game where he came in and we came down and put points on the board," wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster said. "I'm not nervous at all. We're going to L.A. It's going to be a fun game."

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